Dish washer

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a dish washer comprising: a tub forming a space for washing dishes; a base mounted at a lower portion of the tub; a base spacer mounted at a front side of the base; and a noise reduction member mounted between the base and the base spacer, wherein the noise reduction member prevents noise generated by an operation of components installed on the base from being leaked between the base and a surface on which the base is installed, and wherein the noise reduction member comprises a fixed unit coupled between the base and the base spacer, and a soundproof unit extended from the fixed unit and contacting a surface on which the base is installed. Accordingly, it is capable of more conveniently mounting the noise reduction member and of enhancing productivity of the dish washer. Also, it is capable of preventing the noise reduction member from being detached from the dish washer while the dish washer is being packed, moved or initially installed.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0084065, filed on Aug. 21, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dish washer, and particularly, to a dish washer having a noise reduction member which is capable of reducing mechanical noise leaked through a space formed between a base member and an installation bottom surface of the dish washer and of having less possibility to be detached from the dish washer during packing, moving or installing thereof.

2. Background of the Invention

In general, a dish washer includes a dish rack provided in a tub so as to receive dishes therein, an injection nozzle injecting washing water toward the dishes received in the dish rack, a sump supplying washing water to the injection nozzle, a washing pump and a washing motor.

The conventional dish washer is configured to operate the washing pump and then inject washing water received in the sump into the injection nozzle. And, the washing water is injected from the injection nozzle in a high pressure and thus impacts on surfaces of the dishes received in the dish rack. Accordingly, the dishes can be washed without any leftover food thereon by the pressure of the washing water impacting on the surfaces of the dishes.

In addition, processes for washing dishes include a washing process for washing leftover foods on the dishes, a rinsing process for rinsing the dishes after the washing process is completed and a drying process for removing moisture left on the surfaces of the dishes under a state that the rinsing process is finished.

However, the conventional dish washer has the following problem. That is, mechanical noise generated by an operation of electrical components installed on a base supporting a lower portion of the dish washer leaks forward through a In space between the base and a bottom surface on which the dish washer is installed while the dish washer is being operated.

In order to solve the problem, Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1998-82393 discloses a noise reduction member attached on a front lower surface of the base by an adhesive agent.

However, since the noise reduction member is attached to the base using the adhesive agent, it may be easily detached from the base while the dish washer is being packed, moved or installed.

And, since the noise reduction member is attached on the lower surface of the base, it is required to turn upside down the dish washer so as to attach the noise reduction member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a dish washer having a noise reduction member that can be easily mounted as the noise reduction member is mounted in up and down directions between a base and a base spacer mounted at a front side of the base.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a dish washer which is capable of preventing a noise reduction member from being detached therefrom while the dish washer is being used, by using an additional coupling means such as a volt when the noise reduction member is coupled between a base and a base spacer.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a dish washer having a noise reduction member which is capable of reducing a fabrication cost and enhancing usability by increased flexibility of soundproof portions, resulting from that a fixed portion and the soundproof portions are configured to have solidity and thickness different from each other in the noise reduction member.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a dish washer having a noise reduction member which is capable of enhancing a soundproof efficiency, by configuring a plurality of soundproof portions and soundproof spaces therebetween in the noise reduction member.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a dish washer comprising: a tub forming a space for washing dishes; a base mounted at a lower portion of the tub; a base spacer mounted at a front side of the base; and a noise reduction member mounted between the base and the base spacer, wherein the noise reduction member prevents noise generated by an operation of components installed on the base from being leaked between the base and a surface on which the base is installed.

With such configuration, it is capable of preventing noise from being emitted to a front side of the dish washer through a space between the base and a bottom surface on which the dish washer is installed.

Here, the noise reduction member comprises a fixed unit coupled between the base and the base spacer, and a soundproof unit extended from the fixed unit and contacting a surface on which the base is installed. As such, by separately forming the fixed unit and the soundproof unit, the fixed unit and the soundproof unit may be implemented in different shapes with different materials from each other.

And, the fixed unit and the soundproof unit are mounted in up and down directions between the base and the base spacer so as to more conveniently mount the noise reduction member.

On the other hand, the fixed unit may be mounted in up and down directions between the base and the base spacer, and the soundproof unit may be curved from the fixed unit. As the soundproof unit is curved from the fixed unit, the soundproof unit is applicable even when a height between the base and a bottom surface on which the dish washer is installed is changed. In addition, a contact time between emitted noise and the soundproof unit may be extended, thereby improving a soundproof effect.

Here, the soundproof unit is curved toward the base spacer, preferably.

And, the soundproof unit may be configured with at least two in number so as to provide a soundproof space between soundproof units. That is, when a plurality of soundproof units are formed with a specific gap therebetween, each soundproof space filled with air is formed between the soundproof units adjacent to each other, thereby being capable of lowering a degree of the emitted noise through the soundproof space.

The soundproof units can be configured to be curved from the fixed unit at least twice, thereby being capable of forming the fixed unit mounted in up and down directions between the base and the base spacer and the soundproof units curved toward the base spacer in various shapes and of keeping the noise remaining in the space of a rear side of the soundproof units for a longer time.

And, in the soundproof units, a thickness of a portion close to the fixed unit and that of a portion closed to the bottom surface on which the base is installed may be different from each other. Or, solidity of the soundproof units may be different from that of the fixed unit. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing a fabrication cost for the noise reduction member and of enhancing flexibility of the soundproof units. For example, when the soundproof units contacting the bottom surface on which the base is installed are configured to be thin and have solidity lower than other portions including the fixed portion, the thin soundproof units are bent even if a height between the base and the bottom surface on which the dish washer is installed is smaller than a spontaneously drooping length of the soundproof units having the thin thickness, thereby being capable of executing the soundproof operation. And, since the bottom surface on which the dish washer is installed is strongly pressed by a restoring force of the soundproof units to return to its original state, it is capable of enhancing the soundproof effect.

Here, the fixed unit may be coupled to one of the base and the base spacer by a volt, thereby being capable of preventing the noise reduction member from being detached.

And, to achieve the objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a dish washer comprising: a tub forming a space for washing dishes; a base mounted at a lower portion of the tub; and a noise reduction member mounted at a lower surface of the base so as to prevent noise generated by an operation of components installed on the base from being leaked between the base and a surface on which the base is installed, wherein the noise reduction member comprises a fixed unit coupled to the lower surface of the base and at least two soundproof units configured to contact the surface on which the base is installed by being curved from the fixed unit.

Here, the fixed unit and the soundproof units are configured to have thickness or solidity different from each other. And, the soundproof units are curved toward a front side of the base and a soundproof space is formed between the soundproof units.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side section view showing a dish washer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a base of the dish washer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing “A” portion in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view schematically showing “B” portion in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the noise reduction member according to FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed explanation about well-known functions or configurations will be omitted so as to implement the present invention more explicitly.

FIG. 1 is a side section view showing a dish washer in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a base of the dish washer of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dish washer 100 in accordance with the present invention comprises: a base 200; a cabinet 110 disposed above the base 200; a washing space 120 installed in the cabinet 110; upper and lower dish racks 170 and 180 disposed in the washing space 120, and on which dishes are disposed; and a sump 190 disposed below the washing space 120, and containing washing water therein; a washing pump (not shown) for pumping washing water to the sump 190; an injection channel 140 for injecting washing water pumped by the pump to the dish racks 170 and 180; injection nozzles 150 and 160; and a door 130 for opening and closing one surface of the washing space 120.

Here, the injection nozzles 150 and 160 are composed of an upper injection nozzle 150 for injecting washing water to dishes received in the upper dish rack 170, and a lower injection nozzle 160 for injecting washing water to dishes received in the lower dish rack 180.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base 200 forms an external appearance of a lower surface portion of the dish washer 100. The sump or the washing motor, and various electrical components necessary to operate the dish washer 100 are installed on an upper surface of the base 200.

Since a load and a vibration of the sump and the washing space 120 are transferred to the base 200, the base 200 should have great intensity. And, since various electrical components are installed on the base 200, the base 200 should have an excellent insulating characteristic.

The base 200 is formed of an injection resin formed by a general plastic injection molding method. And, the washing space 120 is formed of a metallic material.

And, a base spacer 230 is further installed at the front side of the base 200 so that the base spacer 230 may configure the lower portion of the dish washer 100 and form the external appearance of the dish washer 100. Here, the base spacer 230 is called as a lower cover or front cover.

The base spacer 230 simply comes into contact with a lower end portion of the base 200. And, the base spacer 230 and the lower end portion of the base 200 are coupled to each other by a coupling means such as a volt.

A noise reduction member is mounted between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 so as to prevent a noise generated by the operation of various electrical components or mechanical components installed at the base 200 from being emitted to the front side of the dish washer 100. Hereafter, it will be explained in detail.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing “A” portion in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, legs 240 are respectively formed at a front side and a rear side of the lower portion of the base 200 so as to support the entire load of the dish washer 100.

And, a space is formed by a specific height (H) between the base 200 and a bottom surface (S) supported by the legs 240 of the dish washer 100. And, the operation noise of various components installed at the base is emitted to the front side of the dish washer 100 through this space. In order to prevent or reduce this noise, a noise reduction member 250 is mounted between the base 200 and the base spacer 230. Here, an upper portion of the noise reduction member 250 is interposed between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 and a lower portion thereof comes into contact with the bottom surface (S).

Referring to FIG. 4, in more detail, the noise reduction member 250 includes a fixed unit 251 coupled between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 and a soundproof unit 252 extended from the fixed unit 251 and contacting the bottom surface (S) on which the base 200 is installed.

Here, it is effective that the fixed unit 251 and the soundproof unit 252 are mounted in up and down directions between the base 200 and the base spacer 230, thereby being capable of more conveniently mounting the noise reduction member 250.

That is, when mounting the noise reduction member 250, the base spacer 230 has only to be mounted after the noise reduction member 250 is mounted at the front side of a lower end of the base 200, or both the base spacer 230 and the noise reduction member 250 have only to be mounted at the front side of the lower end of the base 200 after the noise reduction member 250 is mounted at the base spacer 230. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing inconvenience caused by mounting the noise reduction member after turning upside down the dish washer 100 or mounting the noise reduction member before mounting the various heavy electrical components at the base 200.

The fixed unit 251 of the noise reduction member 250 is coupled between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 by the coupling means such as the volt 231, thereby being capable of firmly maintaining the coupled status. Here, the coupling means such as the volt 231 may be coupled from a side of the base spacer 230 or a side of the base 200.

Even when an additional coupling means such as the volt 231 is not mounted, the noise reduction member 250 can be mounted. For example, a fixing protrusion (not shown) may be protruded from the fixed unit 251 of the noise reduction member 250 and a protrusion insertion unit corresponding to the fixing protrusion may be formed at the base 200 or the base spacer 230 so as to mount the noise reduction member 250.

Thickness of the fixed unit 251 and the soundproof unit 252 may be different from each other, and it is effective that the soundproof 252 is thinner than the fixed unit 251. In addition, solidity of the fixed unit 251 and the soundproof unit 252 may be different, and it is effective that the solidity of the soundproof unit 252 is lower than that of the fixed unit 251.

Accordingly, it is capable of enhancing flexibility of the soundproof unit 252. Even when the soundproof unit 252 is longer than the height (H) between the base 200 and the bottom surface (S), since the soundproof unit 252 can be bent while the dish washer 100 is being mounted, it is capable of preventing the soundproof unit 252 from being damaged. And, the soundproof unit 252 more strongly presses the bottom surface (S) because of a restoring force of the bent soundproof unit 252 to return to its original state. Accordingly, it is capable of definitely preventing the noise from being emitted to the front side of the dish washer 100.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view schematically showing “B” portion in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a view showing the noise reduction member according to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, a noise reduction member 260 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is mounted between the base 200 and the base spacer 230, and provided with a soundproof unit curved to the front side of the dish washer 100. It will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIG. 6 and 7, the noise reduction member 260 includes a fixed unit 261 mounted between the base 200 and the base spacer 230, and soundproof units 262 integrally formed with the fixed unit 261 and curved from the fixed unit 261.

The fixed unit 261 is mounted in up and down directions between the base 200 and the base spacer 230, thereby being capable of more conveniently mounting the noise reduction member 260. That is, when mounting the noise reduction member 260, the base spacer 230 has only to be mounted after the fixed unit 261 is mounted at the front side of the lower end of the base 200, or both the base spacer 230 and the noise reduction member 260 have only to be mounted at the front side of the lower end of the base 200 after the fixed unit 261 is mounted at the base spacer 230. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing inconvenience caused by mounting the noise reduction member after turning upside down the dish washer 100 or mounting the noise reduction member before mounting the various heavy electrical components at the base 200.

The fixed unit 261 of the noise reduction member 260 is coupled between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 by a coupling means such as a volt (not shown), thereby being capable of firmly maintaining the coupled status. Here, the coupling means such as the volt may be coupled from a side of the base spacer 230 or a side of the base 200.

Even when an additional coupling means such as the volt is not mounted, the noise reduction member 250 can be firmly mounted. For example, fixing protrusions 261 a may be protruded from the fixed unit 261 of the noise reduction member 260 and a protrusion insertion unit (not shown) corresponding to the fixing protrusion may be formed at the base 200 or the base spacer 230 so as to mount the noise reduction member 260. Here, the fixing protrusions 261 a may be formed at at least one surface of both surfaces of the fixed unit 261.

Preferably, the soundproof units 262 are curved from the fixed unit 261 toward the front side of the base spacer 230 or the dish washer 100. Accordingly, a space of a rear side of the soundproof units 262 becomes larger and thus a space to dissipate the noise can become larger.

And, at least two soundproof units 262 are formed. And, a soundproof space 263 may be formed between the soundproof units 262 adjacent to each other.

On forming the plurality of soundproof units 262 spaced from each other with a specific gap therebetween, the soundproof space 263 filled with air is formed between the soundproof units 262 adjacent to each other. It is capable of lowering a degree of the emitted sound through the soundproof space 263. That is, the noise generated by the various electrical components mounted on the base 200 is transferred to the front side of the dish washer 100 through the space between the base 200 and the bottom surface (S). In this process, the noise can be quite dissipated sequentially passing through the soundproof units 262, the soundproof space 263 and then the soundproof units 262.

And, the soundproof units 262 can be configured to be curved from the fixed unit 261 at least twice, thereby being capable of forming the fixed unit 261 mounted in up and down directions between the base 200 and the base spacer 230 and the soundproof units 262 curved toward the base spacer 230 in various shapes and of keeping the noise remaining in the space of the rear surface of the soundproof units 262 for a longer time.

A first curved portion of the soundproof units is curved toward the front side of the dish washer 100 from the fixed unit 261. The first curved portion serves to enlarge the space formed at the rear side of the soundproof units 262. And, a second curved portion is curved toward the rear side of the dish washer 100 from the first curved portion.

As the soundproof units 262 form two curved portions, it is capable of enhancing dissipation of the noise and of extending the time taken by emitting the noise toward the front side of the dish washer 100 through the noise reduction member 260.

And, in the soundproof units 262, thickness (t1, t3) of a portion close to the fixed unit 261 and thickness (t2) of a portion close to the bottom surface (S) on which the base 200 is installed may be different from each other. Or, solidity of the soundproof units 262 may be different from that of the fixed unit 261. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing a fabrication cost for the noise reduction member 260 and of enhancing the flexibility of the soundproof units 262.

For example, when the soundproof units 262 contacting the base 200 or the bottom surface (S) on which the dish washer 100 is installed are configured to have the thickness (t2) that is thin and solidity lower than other portions including the fixed portion 261, the thin soundproof units 262 are bent even if the height (H) between the base 200 and the bottom surface (S) on which the dish washer 100 is installed is smaller than a spontaneously drooping length of the soundproof units 262 having the thin thickness (t2), thereby being capable of preventing the soundproof units 262 from being damaged. And, since the bottom surface (S) on which the dish washer 100 is installed is strongly pressed by a restoring force of the soundproof units 262 to return to its original state, it is capable of reducing leakage between the bottom surface (S) and ends of the soundproof units 262, thereby enhancing a soundproof effect.

Meanwhile, the fixed unit of the noise reduction member can be mounted in up and down directions between the base 200 and the base spacer 230. And, the fixed unit also can be mounted at the lower surface of the base 200. It will be described with reference with FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing that a noise reduction member is mounted in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, a noise reduction member 270 in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed unit 271 coupled to the lower surface of the base 200, and at least two soundproof units 272 configured to contact the bottom surface (S) on which the base 200 is installed by being curved from the fixed unit 271.

In the noise reduction member 270, the configuration of the soundproof units 272 excluding the fixed unit 271 is the same as that of the soundproof units 262 shown in FIG. 7. That is, the fixed unit 271 of the noise reduction member 270 is mounted at the lower surface of the base 200 in a horizontal direction and coupled to the lower surface of the base 200 by a coupling means such as volts 271 a so as to prevent the noise reduction member 270 from being detached from the base 200.

Meanwhile, the soundproof units 272 are curved toward the front side of the base 200 or dish washer 100, and a soundproof space 273 is formed between the soundproof units 272.

And, the soundproof units 272 are configured to be curved from the fixed unit 271 at least twice. Accordingly, it is capable of forming the fixed unit 271 mounted at the lower surface of the base 200 in the horizontal direction and the soundproof units 272 curved toward the base spacer 230 in various shapes, and of keeping the noise remaining at the rear side of the soundproof units 272 for a longer time.

In the soundproof units 272, thickness of a portion close to the fixed unit 271 may be different from that of a portion close to the bottom surface (S) on which the base 200 is installed. And, solidity of the soundproof units 272 may be different from that of the fixed unit 271. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing the amount of material used for the noise reduction member 270 and of enhancing the flexibility of the soundproof units 272.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A dish washer comprising: a tub forming a space for washing dishes; a base mounted at a lower portion of the tub; a base spacer mounted at a front side of the base; and a noise reduction member mounted between the base and the base spacer, wherein the noise reduction member prevents noise generated by an operation of components installed on the base from being leaked between the base and a surface on which the base is installed.
 2. The dish washer of claim 1, wherein the noise reduction member comprises a fixed unit coupled between the base and the base spacer; and is a soundproof unit extended from the fixed unit and contacting a surface on which the base is installed.
 3. The dish washer of claim 2, wherein the fixed unit and the soundproof unit are mounted in up and down directions between the base and the base spacer.
 4. The dish washer of claim 2, wherein the fixed unit is mounted in up and down directions between the base and the base spacer, and the soundproof unit is curved from the fixed unit.
 5. The dish washer of claim 4, wherein the soundproof unit is curved toward the base spacer.
 6. The dish washer of claim 4, wherein the soundproof unit is configured with at least two in number and to provide a soundproof space between soundproof units.
 7. The dish washer of claim 6, wherein the soundproof units are configured to be curved from the fixed unit at least twice.
 8. The dish washer of claim 6, wherein the soundproof units have thickness of a portion close to the fixed unit and that of a portion closed to the bottom surface on which the base is installed different from each other.
 9. The dish washer of claim 2, wherein solidity of the soundproof units is different from that of the fixed unit.
 10. The dish washer of claim 9, wherein the solidity of the soundproof units is lower than that of the fixed unit.
 11. The dish washer of claim 9, wherein the fixed unit is coupled to one of the base and the base spacer by a volt.
 12. The dish washer of claim 9, wherein a fixing protrusion is protruded from the fixed unit and a protrusion insertion unit is formed at the base thus to mount the fixed unit by inserting the fixing protrusion into the protrusion insertion unit.
 13. The dish washer of claim 9, wherein a fixing protrusion is protruded from the fixed unit and a protrusion insertion unit is formed at the base spacer thus to mount the fixed unit by inserting the fixing protrusion into the protrusion insertion unit.
 14. A dish washer comprising: a tub forming a space for washing dishes; a base mounted at a lower portion of the tub; and a noise reduction member mounted at a lower surface of the base so as to prevent noise generated by an operation of components installed on the base from being leaked between the base and a surface on which the base is installed, wherein the noise reduction member comprises a fixed unit coupled to the lower surface of the base and at least two soundproof units configured to contact the surface on which the base is installed by being curved from the fixed unit,
 15. The dish washer of claim 14, wherein the fixed unit and the soundproof units are configured to have thickness different from each other.
 16. The dish washer of claim 14, wherein the fixed unit and the soundproof units are configured to have solidity different from each other.
 17. The dish washer of claim 16, wherein the solidity of the soundproof units is lower than that of the fixed unit.
 18. The dish washer of claim 14, wherein the soundproof units are curved toward a front side of the base and a soundproof space is formed between the soundproof units. 